31st Indigenous Firefighters Competition a Success in Kahnawake
Written by Paul Graif on 27 June 2022
The 31st Indigenous Firefighters Competition for the Quebec region was held at Karonhianonhnha School on Saturday. After four grueling evolutions in searing heat that reached 30 degrees, the team from Nemaska just edged out the Kahnawake Fire Brigade (KFB) for first place among the 7 teams. Gesgapegiag was third.
Lieutenant Karonhiio Curotte was the Captain and trainer of the KFB team. “They did an amazing job,” Curotte said. “Considering two of them have no training as a firefighter, the other two have never done it beforehand there was only one veteran that was competing, they did an amazing job. I’m so proud of them.”
Curotte says the two who have no training are signed up to train to join the KFB.
The all women crew from Kawawachikamach was fourth. Not bad considering they traveled 1150 kms south to be in Kahnawake.
“They said that not just a few days before they had a snowstorm,” Curotte said. “They were saying the weather here was horrible.”
